18 August, 2010

If it seems as if we've been working on fillet-brazed quill stems for years, it's only because we have. The photo at left shows the final prototype for the Grand Cru stem. It will have an alloy wedge and even come with a clamp bolt. As to the price, $75-$95 is a fair guess. We hope to have them this winter.

There will also be a simpler and less expensive VO fillet-brazed and chrome plated. I'll post details when we have the final prototype. It should be soon; we're very close on the design.

Interestingly, these stems are about the same weight or lighter than a Nitto Technomic, but the quill is a little shorter.

Can I get my initials worked into the rear face? I want a custom scar if I ever crash and ram my sternum into this thing.

Why the alloy wedge, other that weight savings? The steel wedges on old cheap Al stems were always an invitation to corrosion problems for the usual high school chemistry reasons. For the same reason it seems like you'd be better off with a steel wedge here.

Is there a compelling reason for the pinch bolt instead of a pop top? I have been questing after a pop top quill stem to fit my Peugeot and it has been a very difficult journey. I am honestly curious why the adherence to pinch bolts for quill stems.

yes, pinch bolts are smoother aesthetically and removeables are so much more efficient if you need to change things out. i have the original pinch bolt salsa stem on one bike and the removeable faceplated one on another. gotta say, the pinch bolt one gets my big vote for being all the more svelte in the looks dept. nice to be able to be so darn choosy.

I haven't gotten this particular monstrosity on the road yet, but it looks promising, in a hideous sort of way . The tight radius of the bar necessitated the pop-top, and the flaring ends made me wary of barcons. I don't get along with ordinary thumbies, and these shifters occupy a minimum of handlebar space while still being usable with your hands on the bar; they also have very clean cable routing. In addition they cost close to nothing and have a secret eighth click!

I am curious about the environmental impact of chrome plating. Are we encouraging China to pollute their waterways with chromium, much as we once did to our own? I've noticed that most E.U and U.S. made products have moved away from chrome plating. Wouldn't it be silly if our pursuit of a nostalgic aesthetic brought a return to a historic pollution problem? (Out of sight, out of mind.) Sometimes progress in product design is result of new material restrictions. Just thought I'd bring this up for conversation, we should consider where, who, and how these products are made. Speaking of nostalgia, I've always preferred the soft yellowish glow of worn nickel plating over the brash shine of chrome. (see Gibson guitar tuners)